Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-12-22
A Western Mans Visit.
Mr.. wsI. CLARK.

Dear Slr:-Agreeablc TO my promise
to you, will give you short account
of my visit to New York City.
We left Middleton, Delaware county,
where my brother now resides, on the /
9th of Nov. My brother and his wife
accompanied us. We took the morning I
train at Arkville. We noticed that
numerous fine buildings are in process
of erection IN going through what is
called the Catskill mountain section,
said to be for the most part for the ac-
commodation of summer boarders We |
also admired the great quantities of
blue stone tagging that are being pre-
pared for market and we could mt but |
think how valuable they would be
to US in Wisconsin. But the surface of
the country appeared SO rough to US
that we marveled how farmers can sue
ceed in making living. Aud we could
but be charmed with wonderfully thrifty
appearance of the fruit trees espec-
tally the apple which does not flourish
well with us.
Kingston has vastly improved since
used to know 1t thirty years ago.
Upon taking the West Shore train in
our hurry and excitement we omitted
to transfer our basket of cold chicken,
ETC.. and rs we were all blessed with a
remarkably healthy appetite the acct
dent was to us u very grevious disap-
pointment.
In going through the long tunnels
Zone nearly mile long, the ladies of
the party couldn't but think OF the OPP
portunity it might be for pocket pick
ing if such things ever happen in the
high civilization of the State of New
York.
We arrived in New York city at $3.50
p. m. and taking the street cars soon
arrived at No. 10, Avenue ID. where
friends were expecting us.
After a bountiful supper, the party
divided, the gentlemen attending the
American Institute and the ladies an
evening netting. Here at the Institute
we saw all kinds of improved machine
ry and furniture and hardware of all
manner Of description, everything show
ing to great advantage by the splendid
electric light. A car was moved up
and down one side of the building by
the power of electricity alone.
In returning we took car upon the
elevated road. This is said to carry
500, 900 passengers daily.
The next day we all, accompanied by
Mrs. Krausch, crossed the celebrated
Brooklyn bridge-to see which one of
the principal objects of our visit to the
city. 1t is certainly wonderful to what
perfection bridge building has arrived.
In coming down the West Shore Road
we passed in full view of the Poagh-
keepsie bridge not yet completed. The
first truss of the great bridge across the
Hudson river was finished 1t is the
longest steel truss in the world. being
525 feet long between the centres of the
towers. 81 feet deep and - feet wide.
1t rests on steel towers 100 nigh, which
stand on masonrypiles having founda-
tons 125 feet below high water mark,
and which rise 80 feet above high water,
the total height from the Foundation be-
ing 337 feet. The bridge carries
floor system on top for douole-track
railway, and can support a rolling load
of 5000 pounds to the running foot on
each track.
We crossed the Brooklyn bridge slow
ly enjoying exceedingly the fine view
of the shipping and boats moving back
and forth upou the water below. Ar
irving inBrooklyn, we took the street
cars for Greenwood cemetery.
This cemetery contains 40 acres,
length Of carriage avenue - miles,
length of paths IS miles. 1t has eight
lakes of varying dimensions all of which
have fountains supplied with water from
the reservoirs into which water is
pumped by two large steam pumps
Among the many tombs we visited
were Horace Greeley's, one called the
Old Maids plot where five sister, are in
TERED whose ages ranged between 100
and III years. We think young gen.
tleman visiting here with his intended
and anxious to hurry on the happy day
should avoid stopping At The Old Maids
plot.
We returned from the cemetery
through rain about moon with our
hospitable hostess The next day we
started early in the morning and
crossed the Jersey ferry to Jersey City
to visit friend at Union Hill, G. p.
Schnueriger. After spending the night
with our friend he i, 'nrned with us to
the city when we visited the U. S.
treasury building, the ASSAY building,
where we had the opportunity Of lifting
bar of gold valued at $4,000 We /
were here also shown eight millions Of /
trade dollars that had been returned I
and are to be melted over, and eighty !
five millions of gold in bJllion. We al
so saw scales that would weigh 10000 |
ounces and vet so delicate that when /
balanced with equal pieces Of paper a
persons name written upon one Of the /
papers would tip the scale Upon the (
second floor we saw workmen engaged |
in smelling gold aud silver, each man
with his own crucible The building is
seven stories high.
In front of the treasury building is
the statute of Washington and here we
had the pleasure of standing upon the
same stone which he stood when taking
the oath of office as first president OF the
US. in 1888. We visited Castle Gar
den where emigrants first land when ar
irving in this country.
Then we took a steamer and made a
visit to the BaItholdi's Statute Il Liber-
ty enlightening the world. This statute
weighs 100000 pounds or 225 tons, its
height from base to torch is 3Oj feet 6
;,oh,s W. n-ao,, II -. -. - I